Zonie Sliva

   Sliva, Zonie (nee Yachyshen) January 14, 1929  - May 25, 2018, entered eternal rest at the Invermay Health Centre, at the age of 89 years.

   Zonie was born to John and Julia Yachyshen. She grew up on a farm near Rama along with her 11 siblings.  She attended Rama School.  Her mother passed away when Zonie was 11 years old, leaving her older sisters, to teach her cooking and household skills.  They taught her well, as she was a terrific cook and homemaker.  She spent one summer employed as a babysitter / housekeeper for a family in the Kuroki/ Fosston area.

   In 1945, her dad packed up Zonie, and her younger brothers and sisters and moved to Brandon, Manitoba. Her brothers and sisters remained in Brandon but Zonie returned to marry her brother-in-law, Joe who had returned from the army. Joe and Zonie were married on Aug 4, 1947 in the St. Anne’s RC church in Buchanan.  For a short time they operated a Texaco service station in Buchanan with Joe’s brother –in –law, Mike Diakuw.  Farming was Joe’s passion so in the spring of 1948 Zonie and Joe moved a mile north of Joe’s original homestead, where his brother Louis and Zonie’s sister Olga lived since their marriage in 1944. There was an old house built in the 30’s on the farm, and Zonie and Joe lived in a granary while they made that old house their home.

   Zonie’s life on the farm was busy with cows, pigs, chickens, gardens, and children.  She was an avid gardener and spent countless hours in her garden and greenhouse.  Her flowers were always lovely and gave her much pleasure.  She lovingly weeded even though she was tired. Zonie had a special talent for sewing, she could make a dress without a pattern, just by looking at it.  Sometimes she ordered a dress from Sears, looked at it and made her own.  Nearly all her clothes, and Gladys’ were made by her. She did use a pattern for Gladys’ wedding dress, and that caused her more grief than the countless clothes she made on her own, as she was not used to following patterns.  She said she relaxed when she mended and patched clothes, she must have had to relax a lot as sometimes even her patches had patches.

   Between farming, haying, cooking, cleaning, sewing, knitting, quilting, crocheting, crafts, and gardening, Zonie managed to give birth to 4 healthy children, Lorne, Gladys ,  Daniel, or  Danny as he was called, and David, or Sammy as Danny wanted to name him. She was a loving, busy mom.

   Religion was a large part of Zonie’s life, and she instilled Christian values in her children.  She was an active member of Sts. Peter and Pauls’ church in Dobrowody and then when it closed she assisted at church activities at St. Anthony’s in Rama.

   She loved socializing and company was always welcome.  She’d throw together an awesome meal at the last moment, whether it was her canned chicken, chicken soup, or fresh garden produce along with fresh cream and butter.  There was always cake or cookies and fresh bread on Mondays. Zonie enjoyed it when the yard was full of children.  The family got together every few Sundays while Joe and his boys played music Zonie had enough for all to eat. Zonie loved all her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed when they came to visit. The grandchildren loved to come to the farm for “holidays”. While they were there they could count on the cookie bear being full, and that Grandma would not run out of borscht and perogies.  They could usually ride the Yamaha, and she kept a close eye on them to be sure they were safe, but let them work things out for themselves.  One time Joseph got the Yamaha stuck and she watched as he rocked and pushed until he eventually got it out.  Her comment was “He’ll be sore tomorrow”.  When he did get back to the yard she didn’t chastise him, she just said “you better wash all that mud off.”  Poor Taylor, being younger, didn’t get away with as much opportunity to be adventurous due to the silly antics of his older cousins Cory, Kenneth and Calvin.  Denise loved to feed the horse, Kyla was grandma’s reliable helper, and Alison and Brittany were just happy to be with Grandma. Zonie had 9 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 13 great-grand children and one step-great grandson and loved each of them and appreciated all their visits.

   After Joe passed away in 1997, Zonie remained on the farm, until Nov. 2011, when she broke her foot, and realized that after 63 years she could no longer stay on the farm by herself. She moved into Park Place, a senior development, in Canora.  She learned how to play bingo and even shuffleboard. We could not get her on the phone as she was out in the common area socializing or playing cards.  This was the best move ever for her.   She had spent her life working so hard it was finally her time to take it easy and have some fun. Zonie remained there until Aug. 2015 when her health deteriorated and she became a resident of Invermay Health Centre.

   Zonie was always pleasant and kind, even when her health failed her.  Thanks to the Invermay Health center which made her last years safe and happy. She always appreciated visits from friends and family, and had a special smile for everyone.

   Zonie was predeceased by her parents John and Julia Yachyshen, her husband Joe in 1997, her grandson Joseph Peter Sliva in 1998 her siblings: Mary, Lena, Bill, Annie, Olga, Helen, Stella,  Zeno and Raymond, 13  in-laws, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

      She leaves to celebrate her life; son Lorne (Cheryl) their children, Denise (Will), Kyla (Ray), Kenneth (Liz) and Zonie's great-grandchildren; Jayden, Angelika, Aftyn, Fallyn, Dale, Emery, Damon, Makayla and Kaitlynn, daughter Gladys (Barry) Fiendell and their children, Cory (Kate),  Calvin (Melissa) and Alison, and Zonie’s great-grandchildren Ashley, Paige,  Mackenzie and Weston,  son Daniel (Cheryl)  and their children, Coty, Jade (Brandon), Kalyn, Josh (Flynn) and Zonie's great-grandson Kole, son David (Laura) and their children Brittany (Chris), Taylor (Shelby) and Zonie's great-grandchildren Carter and Bennett, besides her children and grandchildren Zonie will be remembered by her sister Elsie, her brother, Tony (Shirley) and sisters-in-law Helga and Isabelle;  many nieces and nephews, wonderful neighbours and friends.

Memorial Donations may be made to the St. Anthony's R.C. Cemetery Fund or Lady of Lourdes Shrine both of Rama.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Zonie Sliva, please visit our floral store.